Camp
Arnes became reality out of a deep desire to provide training
in Godliness for children and youth, and a firm conviction
that the retreat setting was an effective tool to this end.
The teachers at Winkler Bible School organized summer camps
in the late 1930s and conducted these programs on grounds rented
from the Canadian Sunday School Mission camp near Gimli.
In 1939, a group of ten men, led by Mr. A.A. Kroeker, investigated
the present site and purchased it. The purchase price was $1000. Each
one contributed $100 and the 160 acres were paid for. This act of personal
sacrifice set the basis and pattern for further development. A well
was drilled that year, but World War II disrupted further development
plans.
However,
God's vision to these men was not daunted. Mr. Kroeker, Mr.
D.E. Redekop and thirteen others met on March 29, 1949 to form
the Lake Winnipeg Mission Camp Society, which then organized
a "camp where Mennonite young people could, during the
summer months, study God's wonderful handiwork". A road
was immediately blazed, the property dedicated to the Lord
and the endless construction of facilities begun. Voluntary
building-bees were the order of the weekends. For example,
Mr. H.W. Redekopp took his Sunday School class of teenage boys
to camp and erected an entire cabin. A.A. DeFehr, Walter Voth,
H.H. Voth, Abe Quiring, and others contributed much to the
development and program of the camp.
Mr. A.H. Kroeker directed the camp for the first few years. The ten-day
encampments were Bible-centered. Attendance kept increasing and more
programs were added. The camp had a profound impact, particularly on
the Winnipeg Mennonite Brethren churches. Outreach was a very important
part of the camp's ministry. Special programs were conducted for "mission
children" and it was a real joy to share Christ with them.
One
of the unique aspects of Camp Arnes was its board of directors
- they were men of devotion, of vision, and of action. They
saw the potential in Christian camping. As early as the late
1950s they experimented with a full-time director. The camping
season was extended to June and September. The first winterized
building (the Wigwam) was constructed in 1966. By the late
1960s Camp Arnes was a year-round operation. Programs were
expanded to include families, senior citizens, church congregations
and even public schools. Soon people from all walks of life
were attending the camp and experiencing the joy of the Lord
as they heard the Word and joined in Christian fellowship.
A
follow-up program was begun in the early 1970s to help boys
and girls grow in their faith throughout the year. Camp Arnes
presents a great camping tradition of service, sacrifice and
joy. As staff, our service is an honor to God, a ministry to
others, and a personal blessing in the lives we touch.
